- Joe Root (C)
- Jos Buttler (VC)
- Moeen Ali
- Jimmy Anderson
- Joffra Archer
- Jonny Bairstow
- Rory Burns
- Stuart Broad
- Zac Crawley
- Jason Roy
- Ben Stokes
- Chris Woakes
Showing posts with label The Ashes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Ashes. Show all posts
Friday, 26 July 2019
Ashes 2019 - Selection meeting
After much conferring the selection panel (Bunny, The Young Maltravers, Mrs Denby & I) have come to the conclusion that the following XII should be considered for the First Test against Australia at Edgbaston (subject to fitness).
Monday, 4 November 2013
The Ashes 2013/14 - Just warming up
Like the first cuckoo of an English spring, the first
chortle at England’s opening day of ‘warm-up’ cricket is music to my ears. No
doubt the harbingers of an Aussie revival are already convinced that the 3-Lion
guarded façade is crumbling before their very eyes and thus Aussie supporters
can look forward to an unrelenting summer of cricketing success.
Whilst the travails of young Rankin on the first day will
not have boosted his confidence too much I am quite minded to say not so fast
old chaps! A trip to the other side of the world to play the summer game is
nothing to be taken for granted. The Ashes is quite simply the most important
sporting fixture there is. It is the past, present and future of our beloved
game and as such must not be rushed. So, I’m pretty sure it is too early for
vivid conclusions, wild boasts or even worse than that ‘setting the tone’ or
‘putting a marker down’.
The Ashes is a marathon not a sprint and as such the England
team like their supporters (of which of course I am proudly one) are working up
to the first test. Whilst the England team have thrown the gauntlet down to the
third quick to assert their claim for selection and thus rested the likes of
Cook, Pietersen, Swann, Broad and Monty (the first four of which are certainties
for the Gabba), the advanced guard of the Barmy Army (more of a Barmy Platoon)
have also taken stock of the situation and are keeping their powder dry. No
point in unleashing the full array of new tunes we’ve got in store for poor old
Mitchell – Just yet! Of course the much sought after Barmy Army songbook has
already got a few new crackers, including one which is the musical equivalent
of the ‘doosra’.
However it is in the warm up games that the Barmy Army
really fine hone their art. I was fortunate enough to be present at the
creation of the now ubiquitous “He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right”
classic. After a pleasant enough morning at the beautiful old Adelaide ground,
we retired to a local hostelry to work on fine-tuning the ‘setlist’. A few of
the older combatants were convinced a new chartbuster was required.
Over the course of the afternoon session a number of paper
tablecloths were covered with various lyrics. The old classic ‘Sloop John B’
had been chosen as the relatively memorable ‘melody’ (it is essential to have a
vague recollection of the tune late on the third day after a strenuous
lunchtime session). After a couple of
rather self-deprecating choruses about Andrew Strauss one of the assembled
decided that we needed to go on the attack. But who should we target? Sadly the
BFW (Big Fat Warne) had retired and Ponting was already a basket case by that
time.
In fact great pains were taken not to rile Punter, we left
that to the Aussie press instead. And so it came to pass that poor old Mitchell
was plucked out and catapulted to ignominy. Of course it would be hard to take
all the credit for the 3-1 win last time on these shores but I can’t help think
that, that afternoon in The Cathedral Hotel in Adelaide set us up for victory. And
so, if you are in Hobart next week and want to contribute to a possible fourth
consecutive victory, then keep your eye out for the collected musicians and
songwriters of the Barmy Army (especially if they slip away for an afternoon of
contemplation). In the meantime we’ll let our boys fine-tune their game and as
sure as an Englishman can ever be we’ll be ready for when the phoney war is
over! Just you wait & see!
Jardine
Monday, 24 August 2009
Victory - The Ashes 2009
The dramatic twists of the 2009 Ashes series would be enough to make London's most celebrated sleuth Mr Sherlock Holmes seek solace in the fine white powder of his erstwhile colleague Dr Watson.
The five-Test series ebbed and flowed, swinging one way then the other as England avenged their abject 5-0 drubbing in 2006/07 with their second successive 2-1 home series win.
Statistically, Australia may wonder how they lost. Eight centuries to England's two, six batsmen averaging over 40, compared with two for England. Three bowlers taking 20 wickets or more, Stuart Broad topping England's chart with 18.
Captain Ricky Ponting suggested after Sunday's dramatic finale at The Oval that England had won the "big moments". So what were the key ones over the last seven memorable weeks?
THE GREAT ESCAPE IN CARDIFF
First Test, Cardiff - England drew with Australia
At 1800 BST on the final day, after 344 pain-staking, crease-shuffling minutes, Paul Collingwood's 245-ball, 74-run vigil ended when he meekly guided Peter Siddle to Mike Hussey at gully.
At 1802 BST, Monty Panesar - a number 11 with an average half his batting position - joined James Anderson with Australia primed to celebrate their sixth successive Ashes Test victory.
But for 69 hair-pulling, jaw-aching deliveries, the last-wicket pair fended off everything the tourists launched at them.
Every defensive prod was celebrated as if the crowd were watching a full-length Shane Williams try at the Millennium Stadium, with Ricky Ponting's patience wearing increasingly thin.
The Australia captain became apoplectic with rage with England's apparent time-consuming tactics when they sent on dressing room lackey Bilal Shafayat, along with physiotherapist Steve McCaig and a pair of batting gloves.
However, it all became too much for the umpires and Anderson, who promptly sent the Nottinghamshire man back to the pavilion.
But despite the increasing tension, Panesar's bat, as broad as the River Taff, grew wider the more frustrated the tourists became, while Anderson's defence remained obstinate through 53 deliveries.
"We got away with it, we know that, and we must come back and play better," said England captain Andrew Strauss.
And didn't they just...
FIRED-UP FREDDIE'S FIVE-FOR AT LORD'S
Second Test, Lord's - England beat Australia by 115 runs
Whoever writes Andrew Flintoff's scripts should retire now, forever content with their role in etching the all-rounder's name into the annals of English cricket history at the game's spiritual's home.
After announcing he would retire from Test cricket because of a chronic knee injury after the Ashes, Freddie's awesome second-innings bowling spell ensured England's blushes were spared after setting Australia a record 522 for victory.
Although his 5-92 was only his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket, it was undoubtedly his most important, piqued when he dismissed Brad Haddin in the second over of the final morning at Lord's.
The wicketkeeper shared a 185-run sixth-wicket stand with Michael Clarke, the type of partnership which was on its way to germinating from a seed of doubt into a full-blown privet hedge of horror.
Freddie's ready to be mobbed by his team-mates
But with Haddin on 80, Flintoff induced a thick outside edge to the hands of Paul Collingwood at second slip, and the game was up for Australia.
Flintoff's reaction was priceless - he just stood there, as if looking for wife Rachael deep in the recesses of the Mound Stand, before being mobbed by his jubilant team-mates.
He went one better an hour later, clean bowling Nathan Hauritz before descending on one knee, arms spread, like a stadium rock star as England ended their 75-year wait for a win at Lord's.
SIZZLING ONIONS GRILLS AUSTRALIA
Third Test, Edgbaston - England drew with Australia
After watching rain pelt down for hours on the sodden Edgbaston outfield, England's bowlers were flogged to all parts as Australia's openers made hay when the sun finally shone in Birmingham.
Without Kevin Pietersen, ruled out following surgery on his right Achilles' tendon, England looked as flat as the Edgbaston wicket.
But it's amazing what a scattering of low-lying clouds and humidity can do to a semi-shiny Dukes ball.
With Australia resuming on 126-1, Graham Onions altered the complexion of the match with the first two deliveries of day two.
Onions early wickets put England in charge on day two at Edgbaston
Up went umpire Aleem Dar's right index finger when the Durham fast bowler trapped Shane Watson dead in front for 62, before bowling Mike Hussey - inexplicably shouldering arms to a delivery hurtling into his off stump for a golden duck.
Suddenly the ball was swinging like a Benny Goodman number, and James Anderson cleaned up the tourists with an inspired 5-80, while Onions collected 4-58.
The momentum was back in England's favour, but a 185-run second-innings stand between Michael Clarke and Marcus North for Australia snuffed out any hopes of a sneaky victory.
FRIDAY MOURNING IN LEEDS
Fourth Test, Headingley - Australia beat England by innings and 80 runs
When Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat on an overcast Friday morning in Leeds, Ricky Ponting did not seem overly perturbed.
With a four-pronged pace attack - the metronomic Stuart Clark returning at the expense of off-spinner Nathan Hauritz - Australia had an Andrew Flintoff-less England by the jugular when Strauss was trapped plumb in front by Ben Hilfenhaus with the very first delivery.
The crooked finger of umpire Billy Bowden remained motionless, like Australian mouths, but the reprieve was brief as the England captain was back in the pavilion 14minutes later after a brilliant one-handed catch by Marcus North at third slip.
Peter Siddle was the main benefactor as England folded at Headingley
The rot began to set in as Peter Siddle and Clark ran amok, decimating England's middle and lower order with a brilliant exhibition of good old-fashioned Headingley swing bowling.
The hosts were 72-6 at lunch, the misery ending early in the afternoon session when Graham Onions was caught at short leg for Siddle's fifth wicket as the hosts were dismissed for 102, their lowest total for 100 years in Ashes Tests at Headingley.
The humiliation was complete when Mitchell Johnson cleaned up poor old Onions less than two days later for one of England's most emphatic defeats against the tourists on home soil.
BROAD TAKES CENTRE STAGE WITH ENGLAND HOT TO TROTT
Fifth Test, The Oval - England beat Australia by 197 runs
Amid the media clamour to reinstate 39-year-old Mark Ramprakash and persuade Marcus Trescothick to come out of retirement, England's selectors opted for consistency and chose Jonathan Trott to replace the struggling Ravi Bopara.
With Australia in the ascendency at 73 without loss replying to England's 332 in the series decider, the fate of the fragile, six-inch urn turned on a destructive spell of fast bowling from Stuart Broad on a parched Oval wicket.
The 23-year-old reduced Australia to 111-7, the apogee of his 5-37 an unplayable outswinging delivery to rearrange Brad Haddin's furniture to seal his second successive five-wicket Test haul, and the third of his career.
With Australia 172 runs short of England's first-innings total, Trott became an instant hero with a debut century to take the game beyond the tourists, setting Ricky Ponting's men an impossible winning target of 546.
Ponting's dismissal particularly delighted Broad at The Oval
England supporters started to sweat as Ponting and the hitherto vulnerable Mike Hussey compiled a 127-run partnership with steely determination.
But Flintoff - relatively muted on his finale - conjured one final trick from his sunhat, uprooting Ponting's off stump with a direct hit from mid-on as the Australia captain fatally hesitated scampering for an ill-judged single.
As the match - and series - drew to its now inevitable denouement, Graeme Swann ended Australia's misery when he had centurion Hussey caught by Alastair Cook off bat-pad, sparking pandemonium in SE11.
The five-Test series ebbed and flowed, swinging one way then the other as England avenged their abject 5-0 drubbing in 2006/07 with their second successive 2-1 home series win.
Statistically, Australia may wonder how they lost. Eight centuries to England's two, six batsmen averaging over 40, compared with two for England. Three bowlers taking 20 wickets or more, Stuart Broad topping England's chart with 18.
Captain Ricky Ponting suggested after Sunday's dramatic finale at The Oval that England had won the "big moments". So what were the key ones over the last seven memorable weeks?
THE GREAT ESCAPE IN CARDIFF
First Test, Cardiff - England drew with Australia
At 1800 BST on the final day, after 344 pain-staking, crease-shuffling minutes, Paul Collingwood's 245-ball, 74-run vigil ended when he meekly guided Peter Siddle to Mike Hussey at gully.
At 1802 BST, Monty Panesar - a number 11 with an average half his batting position - joined James Anderson with Australia primed to celebrate their sixth successive Ashes Test victory.
But for 69 hair-pulling, jaw-aching deliveries, the last-wicket pair fended off everything the tourists launched at them.
Every defensive prod was celebrated as if the crowd were watching a full-length Shane Williams try at the Millennium Stadium, with Ricky Ponting's patience wearing increasingly thin.
The Australia captain became apoplectic with rage with England's apparent time-consuming tactics when they sent on dressing room lackey Bilal Shafayat, along with physiotherapist Steve McCaig and a pair of batting gloves.
However, it all became too much for the umpires and Anderson, who promptly sent the Nottinghamshire man back to the pavilion.
But despite the increasing tension, Panesar's bat, as broad as the River Taff, grew wider the more frustrated the tourists became, while Anderson's defence remained obstinate through 53 deliveries.
"We got away with it, we know that, and we must come back and play better," said England captain Andrew Strauss.
And didn't they just...
FIRED-UP FREDDIE'S FIVE-FOR AT LORD'S
Second Test, Lord's - England beat Australia by 115 runs
Whoever writes Andrew Flintoff's scripts should retire now, forever content with their role in etching the all-rounder's name into the annals of English cricket history at the game's spiritual's home.
After announcing he would retire from Test cricket because of a chronic knee injury after the Ashes, Freddie's awesome second-innings bowling spell ensured England's blushes were spared after setting Australia a record 522 for victory.
Although his 5-92 was only his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket, it was undoubtedly his most important, piqued when he dismissed Brad Haddin in the second over of the final morning at Lord's.
The wicketkeeper shared a 185-run sixth-wicket stand with Michael Clarke, the type of partnership which was on its way to germinating from a seed of doubt into a full-blown privet hedge of horror.
Freddie's ready to be mobbed by his team-mates
But with Haddin on 80, Flintoff induced a thick outside edge to the hands of Paul Collingwood at second slip, and the game was up for Australia.
Flintoff's reaction was priceless - he just stood there, as if looking for wife Rachael deep in the recesses of the Mound Stand, before being mobbed by his jubilant team-mates.
He went one better an hour later, clean bowling Nathan Hauritz before descending on one knee, arms spread, like a stadium rock star as England ended their 75-year wait for a win at Lord's.
SIZZLING ONIONS GRILLS AUSTRALIA
Third Test, Edgbaston - England drew with Australia
After watching rain pelt down for hours on the sodden Edgbaston outfield, England's bowlers were flogged to all parts as Australia's openers made hay when the sun finally shone in Birmingham.
Without Kevin Pietersen, ruled out following surgery on his right Achilles' tendon, England looked as flat as the Edgbaston wicket.
But it's amazing what a scattering of low-lying clouds and humidity can do to a semi-shiny Dukes ball.
With Australia resuming on 126-1, Graham Onions altered the complexion of the match with the first two deliveries of day two.
Onions early wickets put England in charge on day two at Edgbaston
Up went umpire Aleem Dar's right index finger when the Durham fast bowler trapped Shane Watson dead in front for 62, before bowling Mike Hussey - inexplicably shouldering arms to a delivery hurtling into his off stump for a golden duck.
Suddenly the ball was swinging like a Benny Goodman number, and James Anderson cleaned up the tourists with an inspired 5-80, while Onions collected 4-58.
The momentum was back in England's favour, but a 185-run second-innings stand between Michael Clarke and Marcus North for Australia snuffed out any hopes of a sneaky victory.
FRIDAY MOURNING IN LEEDS
Fourth Test, Headingley - Australia beat England by innings and 80 runs
When Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat on an overcast Friday morning in Leeds, Ricky Ponting did not seem overly perturbed.
With a four-pronged pace attack - the metronomic Stuart Clark returning at the expense of off-spinner Nathan Hauritz - Australia had an Andrew Flintoff-less England by the jugular when Strauss was trapped plumb in front by Ben Hilfenhaus with the very first delivery.
The crooked finger of umpire Billy Bowden remained motionless, like Australian mouths, but the reprieve was brief as the England captain was back in the pavilion 14minutes later after a brilliant one-handed catch by Marcus North at third slip.
Peter Siddle was the main benefactor as England folded at Headingley
The rot began to set in as Peter Siddle and Clark ran amok, decimating England's middle and lower order with a brilliant exhibition of good old-fashioned Headingley swing bowling.
The hosts were 72-6 at lunch, the misery ending early in the afternoon session when Graham Onions was caught at short leg for Siddle's fifth wicket as the hosts were dismissed for 102, their lowest total for 100 years in Ashes Tests at Headingley.
The humiliation was complete when Mitchell Johnson cleaned up poor old Onions less than two days later for one of England's most emphatic defeats against the tourists on home soil.
BROAD TAKES CENTRE STAGE WITH ENGLAND HOT TO TROTT
Fifth Test, The Oval - England beat Australia by 197 runs
Amid the media clamour to reinstate 39-year-old Mark Ramprakash and persuade Marcus Trescothick to come out of retirement, England's selectors opted for consistency and chose Jonathan Trott to replace the struggling Ravi Bopara.
With Australia in the ascendency at 73 without loss replying to England's 332 in the series decider, the fate of the fragile, six-inch urn turned on a destructive spell of fast bowling from Stuart Broad on a parched Oval wicket.
The 23-year-old reduced Australia to 111-7, the apogee of his 5-37 an unplayable outswinging delivery to rearrange Brad Haddin's furniture to seal his second successive five-wicket Test haul, and the third of his career.
With Australia 172 runs short of England's first-innings total, Trott became an instant hero with a debut century to take the game beyond the tourists, setting Ricky Ponting's men an impossible winning target of 546.
Ponting's dismissal particularly delighted Broad at The Oval
England supporters started to sweat as Ponting and the hitherto vulnerable Mike Hussey compiled a 127-run partnership with steely determination.
But Flintoff - relatively muted on his finale - conjured one final trick from his sunhat, uprooting Ponting's off stump with a direct hit from mid-on as the Australia captain fatally hesitated scampering for an ill-judged single.
As the match - and series - drew to its now inevitable denouement, Graeme Swann ended Australia's misery when he had centurion Hussey caught by Alastair Cook off bat-pad, sparking pandemonium in SE11.
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Tastes like Ashes
In the pubs and streets of South London, fuelled by joy, exhileration and a couple of rather pleasing bottles of crispy white wine. The celebrations went on, long into the night. E-mailing long lost Aussie buddies, texting 'til the network collapses.
Ricky Ponting, Dame Edna Everage, Kylie Minogue, Kevin Rudd, Nicole Kidman, Rolf Harris, Nick Cave, John Eales, Jono Coleman, Ned Kelly your boys took one helluva beating!!
Thursday, 6 August 2009
4th Test - Heading for Headingly
The Crucial Test
Despite the euphoria generated by Engalnd's bowling performance on the second morning England will be content with the final outcome. Once again, Australia's bowling attack faltered and although their batsmen looked worryingly composed on the final day they too would be happy with a draw.
The biggest problem for England is what to do about Freddie's injury. His presence is perceived as being crucial to the team (although his absences over the past couple of years have been easier to manage). England will of course do everything to get him on the pitch but if he can't make it, will they have to make two changes to make up for him? Harmison and Trott to come in for Flintoff and Broad? Or maybe even for Swann (on a seamers pitch)? Tricky decisions.
Likewise the Aussies need to find a way to get Stuart Clark in the side and Siddle looks the most under threat. Whether the under pressure Aussies will risk Binga Lee for spinner Horritz is another selection conundrum.
The weather forecast looks favourable for England with overcast conditions and rain on days 4 & 5 threatening! However, England must think and play positive, a win and The Ashes will be ours!
Jardine Verdict: One up with two to play, could be a lot worse!
Despite the euphoria generated by Engalnd's bowling performance on the second morning England will be content with the final outcome. Once again, Australia's bowling attack faltered and although their batsmen looked worryingly composed on the final day they too would be happy with a draw.
The biggest problem for England is what to do about Freddie's injury. His presence is perceived as being crucial to the team (although his absences over the past couple of years have been easier to manage). England will of course do everything to get him on the pitch but if he can't make it, will they have to make two changes to make up for him? Harmison and Trott to come in for Flintoff and Broad? Or maybe even for Swann (on a seamers pitch)? Tricky decisions.
Likewise the Aussies need to find a way to get Stuart Clark in the side and Siddle looks the most under threat. Whether the under pressure Aussies will risk Binga Lee for spinner Horritz is another selection conundrum.
The weather forecast looks favourable for England with overcast conditions and rain on days 4 & 5 threatening! However, England must think and play positive, a win and The Ashes will be ours!
Jardine Verdict: One up with two to play, could be a lot worse!
Thursday, 30 July 2009
3rd Test - Going with an Edge to Edgbaston
On the eve of the 3rd Test Andrew Strauss has clearly identified the next 5 days as pivotal in England's attempt to regain the Ashes. Another win for England and it would be very difficult for Australia to get back into the 5 match series. Defeat and it is advantage Australia (who even now are already eyeing a drawn series far more longingly than a month ago).
The only selection headache for England is whether Harmison pips Onions for the final seemers spot. The pitch is expected to be slow and low so it could be that Harmison will miss out again. Australia are wrestling with the Mitchell Johnson problem. Despite Ponting's protestations about not even considering dropping him, surely the Aussies must consider the previously unmentionable. It would seem Clark will come in for Hauritz and they'll play four seamers. However, the biggest influence could be the weather with rain predicted to interrupt Thursday, Saturday & Sundays play. The draw seems the likelier option but with a strengthened Aussie bowling attack and a weakened England middle order the tourists might just fancy their chances.
Jardine's Verdict: A losing draw eked out amongst the breaks in the rain will suit England just fine!
The only selection headache for England is whether Harmison pips Onions for the final seemers spot. The pitch is expected to be slow and low so it could be that Harmison will miss out again. Australia are wrestling with the Mitchell Johnson problem. Despite Ponting's protestations about not even considering dropping him, surely the Aussies must consider the previously unmentionable. It would seem Clark will come in for Hauritz and they'll play four seamers. However, the biggest influence could be the weather with rain predicted to interrupt Thursday, Saturday & Sundays play. The draw seems the likelier option but with a strengthened Aussie bowling attack and a weakened England middle order the tourists might just fancy their chances.
Jardine's Verdict: A losing draw eked out amongst the breaks in the rain will suit England just fine!
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
75 years later...
We've finally bloody won at Lords!
Apologies for missing coverage of first two tests. Technology failed us miserably. However, promise to have fully updated (backdated) reports up and live by this time tomorrow. In the meantime, watch the highlights, listen to the interviews and revel in the joy of a very rare thing.
Jardine's Verdict: Strike a medal from the finest metal and pin it to Freddie's chest, without a doubt with him in our side we are truly truly blessed!
Apologies for missing coverage of first two tests. Technology failed us miserably. However, promise to have fully updated (backdated) reports up and live by this time tomorrow. In the meantime, watch the highlights, listen to the interviews and revel in the joy of a very rare thing.
Jardine's Verdict: Strike a medal from the finest metal and pin it to Freddie's chest, without a doubt with him in our side we are truly truly blessed!
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Sussex scare Australia rigid
Ashes Tour - Day 4 Hove
Australia were denied a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Ashes series as Carl Hopkinson earned a draw for Sussex in the tour match at Hove.Hopkinson claimed the only century of the match as Sussex made a decent attempt of chasing the 418 off 92 overs they needed for victory. The 27-year-old eventually fell to Ben Hilfenhaus for 115.
The home side refused to throw in the towel after his dismissal but they ended up short, closing on 373-7. Sussex started well as they chased their target, Mike Yardy and Chris Nash putting on 87 runs in 24 overs. Yardy raced to his 50 off just 55 balls with 10 boundaries and Nash was just starting to accelerate when he sliced a drive to backward point off Peter Siddle for 27.
By lunch Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was using both of his spinners on the dry, turning pitch and it was Marcus North who claimed the wicket of Yardy - who reached 67 before pushing the ball to Michael Clarke at slip. Paceman Brett Lee struggled with over-stepping but he did remove Rory Hamilton-Brown leg before for one while Hopkinson hit his 50 with his third six off North.
Sussex began the final session needing 181 but Hopkinson and Luke Wright continued to attack in a stand of 81 in 13 overs. The mark is a new fifth-wicket Sussex record in this fixture, beating the 72 put on by Tony Greig and Peter Kirsten in 1975.
Hopkinson was spared on 69 when Ponting dropped a straightforward catch off Hauritz but the spinner finally took his first wicket in the next over when Wright deflected a glance onto leg stump.
Hopkinson, who has not played a Championship game for the county this season, reached his hundred by coming down the pitch to drive North through the leg side for his 12th four and was eventually caught behind trying to run a delivery from Hilfenhaus down to third man.
The first Ashes Test between England and Australia begins in Cardiff on 8 July and the boys from The Jardine Report will be there to bring you up to date reports - Assuming the internet connection works!
Jardine Verdict: A great performance by Sussex who so nearly clocked up their second consecutive victory against the Aussies. An inauspicious start for Hauritz.
Australia were denied a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Ashes series as Carl Hopkinson earned a draw for Sussex in the tour match at Hove.Hopkinson claimed the only century of the match as Sussex made a decent attempt of chasing the 418 off 92 overs they needed for victory. The 27-year-old eventually fell to Ben Hilfenhaus for 115.
The home side refused to throw in the towel after his dismissal but they ended up short, closing on 373-7. Sussex started well as they chased their target, Mike Yardy and Chris Nash putting on 87 runs in 24 overs. Yardy raced to his 50 off just 55 balls with 10 boundaries and Nash was just starting to accelerate when he sliced a drive to backward point off Peter Siddle for 27.
By lunch Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was using both of his spinners on the dry, turning pitch and it was Marcus North who claimed the wicket of Yardy - who reached 67 before pushing the ball to Michael Clarke at slip. Paceman Brett Lee struggled with over-stepping but he did remove Rory Hamilton-Brown leg before for one while Hopkinson hit his 50 with his third six off North.
Sussex began the final session needing 181 but Hopkinson and Luke Wright continued to attack in a stand of 81 in 13 overs. The mark is a new fifth-wicket Sussex record in this fixture, beating the 72 put on by Tony Greig and Peter Kirsten in 1975.
Hopkinson was spared on 69 when Ponting dropped a straightforward catch off Hauritz but the spinner finally took his first wicket in the next over when Wright deflected a glance onto leg stump.
Hopkinson, who has not played a Championship game for the county this season, reached his hundred by coming down the pitch to drive North through the leg side for his 12th four and was eventually caught behind trying to run a delivery from Hilfenhaus down to third man.
The first Ashes Test between England and Australia begins in Cardiff on 8 July and the boys from The Jardine Report will be there to bring you up to date reports - Assuming the internet connection works!
Jardine Verdict: A great performance by Sussex who so nearly clocked up their second consecutive victory against the Aussies. An inauspicious start for Hauritz.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Sussex put Aussies on the back foot
Ashes Tour - Sussex v Australia Day One
Australian tail-enders Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz struggled to keep Australia in the game against Sussex on day one of the first match of their Ashes tour at Hove. The tourists lost opener Phil Hughes (15) and captain Ricky Ponting (8) early on as they slipped to 114-5.
But Michael Clarke (45) and Brad Haddin (69) staged a minor recovery before Lee (47no) and Hauritz (65no) took the score to 349-7 at the close.
South African seamer Pepler Sandri was the star for Sussex as he took 3-73. The debutant quickly removed opener Hughes, who has had a hotly disputed stint at Middlesex earlier this summer. The self styled New Bradman had his middle stump uprooted after making 15 from 26 deliveries.
Sour-faced Aussie skipper Ponting punched two backfoot strokes to the boundary in front of nearly 6,000 staunch Sussex supporters. The Hove crowd, justifiably acknowledged as the most discerning cricket spectators in the world. Were delighted to see Ponting edge a Luke Wright ball to keeper Andrew Hodd before Simon Katich and Michael Hussey stabilised the innings with a third-wicket stand of 65.
However, Katich then fell to Sandri one short of his half-century and his dismissal prompted the loss of three wickets for one run in the space of 10 balls as he was joined in the pavilion by Hussey and Marcus North. Australia were on their knees at 114-5 but Michael 'Pretty boy' Clarke and keeper Haddin brought some resilience to the middle order.
Haddin was in attacking mood and hit three sixes and seven fours in his 69 before holing out to Sandri off Ollie Rayner's bowling. Rayner then followed up the wicket by snaring Clarke caught and bowled as the Aussies again stuttered at 232-7 against what was mainly a Sussex second XI
Former Test quick Brett Lee and spinner Hauritz gave a some late authority to the Aussie innings. Hauritz reached his 50 first and hit 12 fours as he reached a beligerent 65 by the close, while Lee struck a six and five fours to reach 47 in an unbroken stand of 117 as Australia ended the day some way short of their expectations.
The first Test against England starts in Cardiff on 8 July and Haddin knows the Australia team have plenty of room for improvement.
"I think Sussex bowled quite well and put the ball in some good areas early on then, in the afternoon, they had a couple of good spinners going in tandem," said Haddin.
The wicket-keeper also commented that he'd heard "this pitch compares a lot to Cardiff". It is good to see that misinformation is alive and well at this stage of the tour.
Jardine Verdict: For the best team in the world this has to be an encouraging start against farily average opponents although Sussex will be disappointed not to have polished off the visitors tail. Australia on the other hand will be somewhat dismayed at the failure of their middle order. Day One - Sussex on Points
Australian tail-enders Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz struggled to keep Australia in the game against Sussex on day one of the first match of their Ashes tour at Hove. The tourists lost opener Phil Hughes (15) and captain Ricky Ponting (8) early on as they slipped to 114-5.
But Michael Clarke (45) and Brad Haddin (69) staged a minor recovery before Lee (47no) and Hauritz (65no) took the score to 349-7 at the close.
South African seamer Pepler Sandri was the star for Sussex as he took 3-73. The debutant quickly removed opener Hughes, who has had a hotly disputed stint at Middlesex earlier this summer. The self styled New Bradman had his middle stump uprooted after making 15 from 26 deliveries.
Sour-faced Aussie skipper Ponting punched two backfoot strokes to the boundary in front of nearly 6,000 staunch Sussex supporters. The Hove crowd, justifiably acknowledged as the most discerning cricket spectators in the world. Were delighted to see Ponting edge a Luke Wright ball to keeper Andrew Hodd before Simon Katich and Michael Hussey stabilised the innings with a third-wicket stand of 65.
However, Katich then fell to Sandri one short of his half-century and his dismissal prompted the loss of three wickets for one run in the space of 10 balls as he was joined in the pavilion by Hussey and Marcus North. Australia were on their knees at 114-5 but Michael 'Pretty boy' Clarke and keeper Haddin brought some resilience to the middle order.
Haddin was in attacking mood and hit three sixes and seven fours in his 69 before holing out to Sandri off Ollie Rayner's bowling. Rayner then followed up the wicket by snaring Clarke caught and bowled as the Aussies again stuttered at 232-7 against what was mainly a Sussex second XI
Former Test quick Brett Lee and spinner Hauritz gave a some late authority to the Aussie innings. Hauritz reached his 50 first and hit 12 fours as he reached a beligerent 65 by the close, while Lee struck a six and five fours to reach 47 in an unbroken stand of 117 as Australia ended the day some way short of their expectations.
The first Test against England starts in Cardiff on 8 July and Haddin knows the Australia team have plenty of room for improvement.
"I think Sussex bowled quite well and put the ball in some good areas early on then, in the afternoon, they had a couple of good spinners going in tandem," said Haddin.
The wicket-keeper also commented that he'd heard "this pitch compares a lot to Cardiff". It is good to see that misinformation is alive and well at this stage of the tour.
Jardine Verdict: For the best team in the world this has to be an encouraging start against farily average opponents although Sussex will be disappointed not to have polished off the visitors tail. Australia on the other hand will be somewhat dismayed at the failure of their middle order. Day One - Sussex on Points
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Breaking News - Symonds Out, Ponting Snubbed!
Despite the vocal support of Ricky Ponting English all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been left out of the Australia squad for the upcoming Ashes Tour.
Injury prone Shane Watson and dibby dobby medium pacer Andrew McDonald have been included to fill the role of all-rounders.
The five-Test series starts with the First Test in Cardiff from July 8 and finishes with the Fifth Test at The Oval in late August.
Australia hold the Ashes courtesy of Ricky Ponting's side's win at home in 2006-07, to regain the urn after a 2-1 defeat in England in 2005.
Symonds' omission must be seen as a snub for captain Ricky Ponting, who yesterday had offered his support for Symonds, saying he was "a great guy to have around a team" and that wouldn't be surprised if he figured in the selectors' plans.
The 16-man Australian Ashes squad:
Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Andrew McDonald, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Graham Manou (who?), Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Stuart Clark, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Hauritz.
Jardine's Verdict: A strong Australian squad maybe. World beaters definitely not. Ashes winners? Maybe not. The prospect of old Brett Lee bowling into the wind with Mr "not as good at Cricket as he used to be" Hussey fumbling in the covers must give some encouragement to England.
Injury prone Shane Watson and dibby dobby medium pacer Andrew McDonald have been included to fill the role of all-rounders.
The five-Test series starts with the First Test in Cardiff from July 8 and finishes with the Fifth Test at The Oval in late August.
Australia hold the Ashes courtesy of Ricky Ponting's side's win at home in 2006-07, to regain the urn after a 2-1 defeat in England in 2005.
Symonds' omission must be seen as a snub for captain Ricky Ponting, who yesterday had offered his support for Symonds, saying he was "a great guy to have around a team" and that wouldn't be surprised if he figured in the selectors' plans.
The 16-man Australian Ashes squad:
Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Andrew McDonald, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Graham Manou (who?), Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Stuart Clark, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Hauritz.
Jardine's Verdict: A strong Australian squad maybe. World beaters definitely not. Ashes winners? Maybe not. The prospect of old Brett Lee bowling into the wind with Mr "not as good at Cricket as he used to be" Hussey fumbling in the covers must give some encouragement to England.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Boycott turns traitor
Permanently bitter professional Yorkshireman Geoffrey Boycott insists England are in no shape to reclaim the Ashes from Australia this summer.
Boycott has concerns over the England captaincy, the batting order, the lunch menu, the parking spaces, the lack of Yorkshiremen in the team and what he sees as an inability to get the maximum out of the players available.
"England are not in great shape," the former rather unsuccessful England skipper and turncoat told BBC One's Inside Sport.
"Can they win the Ashes? No, I think they will draw if anything, and the Australians will retain them."
Boycott pointed to England's winter of discontent, where they struggled on and off the field, as a major reason for their difficulties. The stereotypical Tyke, who made made 108 Test match appearances for England, highlighted the fall-out from the Stanford Super Series and Kevin Pietersen's resignation as captain as particularly damaging. The irony of having a disruptive, selfish player in the England dressing room was surprisingly lost on the self styled 'Sir' Geoffrey.
Boycott believes the issue of captaincy has yet to be resolved, despite the appointment of Andrew Strauss, who was voted England's player of the year on Monday for the second time in his career. "They've got Andrew Strauss who is quite a nice lad - he will do a decent job - but I'm not convinced he is a natural captain. It's a gift, to look after 10 other people and also to still look after your own game and play well, and at the same time be thinking two steps ahead of the game. When you're captain you can't just wait for things to happen. The great captains are thinking ahead." Thinking of how many runs they are going to accumulate Geoffrey? This is the Geoff Boycott who was once deliberately run out by Ian Botham in New Zealand, when batting for his average rather than the team.
Jardine's Verdict: Never known for his subtle approach. Tired old Geoffrey has done it again, putting the boot in on the eve of the first test of the year. Whilst some of his observations are not the wild rantings of a lunatic they are done with only one thing in mind. Promoting Geoffrey Boycott. Once again "Sir" Geoffrey has put himself in front of his test team. Thankfully nobody takes the old codger seriously any more!!
Boycott has concerns over the England captaincy, the batting order, the lunch menu, the parking spaces, the lack of Yorkshiremen in the team and what he sees as an inability to get the maximum out of the players available.
"England are not in great shape," the former rather unsuccessful England skipper and turncoat told BBC One's Inside Sport.
"Can they win the Ashes? No, I think they will draw if anything, and the Australians will retain them."
Boycott pointed to England's winter of discontent, where they struggled on and off the field, as a major reason for their difficulties. The stereotypical Tyke, who made made 108 Test match appearances for England, highlighted the fall-out from the Stanford Super Series and Kevin Pietersen's resignation as captain as particularly damaging. The irony of having a disruptive, selfish player in the England dressing room was surprisingly lost on the self styled 'Sir' Geoffrey.
Boycott believes the issue of captaincy has yet to be resolved, despite the appointment of Andrew Strauss, who was voted England's player of the year on Monday for the second time in his career. "They've got Andrew Strauss who is quite a nice lad - he will do a decent job - but I'm not convinced he is a natural captain. It's a gift, to look after 10 other people and also to still look after your own game and play well, and at the same time be thinking two steps ahead of the game. When you're captain you can't just wait for things to happen. The great captains are thinking ahead." Thinking of how many runs they are going to accumulate Geoffrey? This is the Geoff Boycott who was once deliberately run out by Ian Botham in New Zealand, when batting for his average rather than the team.
Jardine's Verdict: Never known for his subtle approach. Tired old Geoffrey has done it again, putting the boot in on the eve of the first test of the year. Whilst some of his observations are not the wild rantings of a lunatic they are done with only one thing in mind. Promoting Geoffrey Boycott. Once again "Sir" Geoffrey has put himself in front of his test team. Thankfully nobody takes the old codger seriously any more!!
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